Page 75 of Good Time Boyfriend
Devney
Everything ached. It felt as if I had been put through the wringer, or perhaps flipped in a car.
But I was alive. At least that’s what my doctors told me.
“A broken arm, bruised ribs, bruises all over your body, and a slight concussion. But you’re here. My baby’s here.” My mom leaned forward and kissed my cheeks.
“You worried us so much.”
“I think I worried myself as well.”
“But you’re okay,” Maureen said from my side.
It was just the three of them: my stepfather, my mother, and Maureen. The other siblings said they would be in tomorrow. I knew I would have to see them all, and I wanted to. I wanted to see everyone. And I also just wanted to sleep.
“They received hell this morning, and we kicked out most of the family so they could get some sleep as well and we wouldn’t take over the whole waiting room.”
My stepdad snorted. “I’m pretty sure they were going to call security on all of us. Plus, your friends were there too, and we took over three-quarters of the place just being here.”
I smiled and ignored the slight ache from the cut on my lip. My window had shattered, and I had cuts on my chest and arms. My face was bruised from the airbags, and my arm was broken. but other than that, I would be okay.
At least, they kept saying it.
I had broken my ulna, which was going to suck to heal, because I already had ulna nerve issues from typing so much, but I would get back to work. I would be fine. I hadn’t broken anything else.
I was just sore.
“I’m so sorry,” I blurted, and my mom frowned. “It wasn’t your fault. It was that truck’s fault. I’m so mad that they dropped those mattresses and didn’t even notice. They didn’t even come back. I am just relieved you’re going to be okay. The people from the Jeep in front of you are going to be okay as well, though I think they have a longer healing journey from what I can put together by speaking with their families.”
That made me smile again, tugging at the cut on my lip.
“Of course, you’re talking to the other families.”
“Why wouldn’t I? I wanted to make sure they were okay too. You’re going to come home with us and we’re going to take care of you. I can’t believe we almost lost you.” My mom blinked back tears as my stepdad wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Now, stop that. Every time that you make your daughter frown or laugh it hurts her lip. Let’s be good, okay?”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m fine. And you’re fine. We’re all fine.”
“I don’t think she’s sorry about the accident,” Maureen sat up, studying my face. “I think she’s still sorry about the whole Heath thing.”
I met her gaze, and though we weren’t blood-related, it was as if we were connected on every level. She was my sister. She had been my big sister since I was a little girl, and she loved me. Cared for me. Was always there. Even when it was almost too much.
“Why are you still worried about that?” my mom asked.
“I’m just so sorry. For lying.”
“That doesn’t matter anymore,” my mom said, so fiercely that I knew if anyone argued with her, she would probably punch them.
“Mom’s right,” Maureen put in. “We’re pushy. All of us. In fact, I sort of pushed the family into making me the head person to speak about the fact that we’re so sorry for being pushy.”
I wanted to shake my head at that, but I would just hurt myself with the minor concussion.
“We’re so sorry for being pushy when we think we know what’s best for you. Clearly, you could always make your own decisions. We just want you to be happy. And we sometimes forget that we are like the wolves from that Hotel Transylvania thing and we sort of run around in a pack and take over.”
“I do the same things when it comes to making sure you guys are okay, though. And making sure the younger kids are fine.”
“Because we’re family.”
“We are. I love you all so much. And I know sometimes I feel like I stand in my own way being the perpetual middle child, but I do love you. And I promise I’ll do better.”
